POLICEWOMAN Olabasi Johnson, who made charges in over 500 traffic cases, was adjudged ‘A’ Division’s Best Cop by the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
She received a trophy, hamper, dinner for two and a one-day trip to Arrowpoint at the awards ceremony last Friday at Brickdam Police Station Compound, Georgetown.
She was also presented monetary incentive by Commissioner of Police, Henry Greene as a bonus for her sterling performance. The Runner-up Best Cop went to Assistant Superintendent, Rishi Das for his good work and was given a hamper, a bicycle and dinner for two.
Greene also awarded the 911 unit at Brickdam $100,000 for their efforts in establishing a library and for their efforts and a further $100,000 towards furnishing it with books.
The Top Cop also awarded ‘A’ Division with $300,000; Mess Staff Special Constable McKenzie was promoted to Lance Corporal with $50,000.
During his Christmas message, Greene congratulated ‘A’ Division for keeping the crime rate down and also recognised the work of the ranks.
He commended ranks for maintaining their presence in the city with at least 15 of them on motorcycles patrol and urged members of the public to report all crimes in good time since no one should be able to escape those ranks, who are policing the downtown areas.
The commissioner also urged ranks to be alert and report all suspicious activities and maintain their presence especially in the business areas in the city since they are taking the fight to the criminals, who have been targeting small businesses which he deemed “soft targets.”
Greene encouraged the business community to be alert and not to follow a standard pattern especially when transacting business involving cash since the bandits are observing but noted that the police will continue to maintain their intelligence presence there.
He also commended ‘A’ Division for their active participation in all GPF activities especially in the Drill, where they have exceeded expectations and the one he was most impressed with.
The Top Cop challenged the ranks to revive the Alberttown Youth Club and urged them to get involved in community projects such as the Agricola, Rosemary Lane, Tiger Bay youth clubs in which the police cater to.
Also making brief remarks was Commander of ‘A’ Division, Assistant Commissioner, George Vyphuis, who reminded the gathering that serious crimes in that division this year had decreased by 21%.
He also highlighted their work and activities and projected that in 2011 they will work to secure a 25% decrease in serious crimes.
Vyphuis said that they have managed to pull eight neighbourhood police in their division and another eight is being trained at the Felix Austin Police College and their formation of several youth clubs with 45 youths of the Scouts Group, which will be outfitted in their uniforms by January 2011.
He also spoke of the “Face the Community” project he was involved in where they met with communities but admitted that they need to do more work in terms of reducing the road fatalities in ‘A’ Division.
During Friday’s ceremony 15 ranks from the Mess and Barracks Labourers were awarded; 35 ranks received the Commander’s award; 12 ranks were given the Laparkan awards of hampers; while seven ranks received the Commissioner’s award and the male drill team received $200,000 while the female Drill team got $150,000.
The event was punctuated by musical renditions from the GPF band, poem, songs performed by policemen and women and a fashion show which was organised by designer, Sonia Noel and her models.
The awardees were treated with a special lunch served by senior officers after the presentation of the prizes yesterday.
Also making brief remarks was Senior Superintendent, M. Josiah, Leon Davis of Food for the Poor and Vibert Parvatan of Laparkan.